I just had a client email me the classic “champagne tastes on a beer budget” conundrum. Lucky for her [and you!] there are lots of great products out there to fit any budget. So if you find yourself bellied up to the bar with just a few bucks, never fear…andi is here.

Just like filling up your gas tank – your marketing efforts can’t just stop – even if the budget is a little smaller than we’d like. Maybe this month instead of super premium you go regular unleaded – but you can’t skip a top off.

With all of those fancy beers out now… does the beer vs. champagne phrase still resonate?

Call me if you need help figuring out your marketing budget – or your bar tab for that matter…

Several years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide CEO, Kevin Roberts at an art exhibit for a mutual friend. While we only spoke for a few minutes, our encounter has always resonated with me. We spoke briefly of his work with the world-renowned agency, and in response to my obvious awe he asked me “Where do you think we rank in terms of size in the world?” – I replied that I assumed that Saatchi & Saatchi were in the top – if not THE top – ranking for agencies. He replied with amusement that at the time they were number 10 or maybe lower – but that he felt they had such a passionate, well represented brand that they were perceived as much larger. Thus, the concept of Lovemarks.

What makes some brands inspirational, while others struggle? Saatchi & Saatchi has been studying the making of a brand longer than I’ve been promoting them, but I’m pretty passionate about my end of the deal. At it’s website Lovemarks.com, the Company quantifies what I’ve always known: brands are more than shapes, more than colors, more than words – they transcend beyond and become visceral, yet intangible feelings.

Lovemarks…deliver beyond your expectations of great performance. Like great brands, they sit on top of high levels of respect – but there the similarities end. Lovemarks reach your heart as well as your mind, creating an intimate, emotional connection that you just can’t live without. Ever. Lovemarks are a relationship, not a mere transaction. You don’t just buy Lovemarks, you embrace them passionately. That’s why you never want to let go. Put simply, Lovemarks inspire: “Loyalty beyond reason” — lovemarks.com

What are your personal Lovemarks? Around the Morales household we are Tivo watchers, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf connoisseurs, and Kitchen Aide mixer users. Not DVRs, not just coffee, and certainly not any old mixer.

So what does all this have to do with promotional products…everything! When we work together to find “just the right thing” for your next event, keep in mind what this product will convey about your brand. It’s not just an award, it’s the embodiment of your recognition program; it’s not just a tshirt, it’s how your brand literally feels on the recipient. When it takes you an hour to decide which writing instrument to put your logo on don’t feel guilty…these are big decisions to make. You’re literally holding the heart of your brand in your hand.

So much of the digital world is intangible – we are always texting, tweeting, instant messaging [and blogging!] but here is a super cool digital application that you can touch and feel!

We have a new vendor that is doing digital imprinting on ball caps. What makes this so neat is that not only is the minimum just 24 pieces, but you can imprint on the bill as well as the crown. This enables us to get more creative than we have been able to in the past. Also, you can use as many colors as you like so you aren’t limited by your artwork anymore!

Check out a few examples below -and text, email, instant message –or you can do it the old fashioned way and CALL me if you are interested!

While Happy Hour isn’t usually until Friday, sometimes we just need to celebrate – even on a Tuesday! What better way to do it than with these beautiful wine bottles. A classic and classy collectible, these bottles are deep etched and hand painted works of art. Completely unique, your recipients will treasure these for their quality, vivid color and keepsake value. Done by hand and not able to be found in any store these Made in the USA, etched wine bottles are the perfect gift for celebration of your accomplishments and pride.

Available in chardonnay, cabernet, sparkling wine and non-alcoholic sparkling cider. Don’t have the manpower to deliver these on your own? Want to gift wrap your bottles and send them to your recipient’s homes? Think your bottles would look great in a wooden crate instead of standard packaging? I CAN HELP WITH THAT! My creative team can help you solve even your most challenging gift and marketing needs – and with our fulfillment and delivery capabilities we can be your extra hands when you need them.

The words “custom” and “fast” are rarely used in the same sentence… until now! Many suppliers are offering quick turn times on what used to be a long lead project. In particular, one of our favorite vendors is offering a speedy custom service that is absolutely fantastic. Our clients love Barrington because they offer beautiful leather items for many different price points. We love them because they are nice people, and always deliver exceptional work. Now there’s even more reason for both of us to love them – the QuickCustom Program. On items as little as 100 qty this program delivers custom lining and packaging in just 3 weeks.

In a nutshell:-pick your product from five classic pieces including money clips, wallets, business card holders, key fobs, book jackets, or pocket jotters-choose your color of gift box and coordinating printed logo on the gift box cover-select your custom fabric lining and colorLet’s see how this new program can work for your next event – give me a call to discuss!

Is that your poo poo paper notebook I’m getting a whif of? Nope, it’s not… but you would think it would be since this new product is made entirely from elephant poo! These stylish and eco friendly notebooks and notepads are made from completely odorless elephant poo poo. I can attest to the oderless part as yes, I did personally take a whif for you. As your promotional products professional it is just part of the service I provide!

As the mother of an 18 month old I have often thought about how much waste, per se, there is in this world, and this is a truly unique way to use it!

You can check out the video on how they make the poo poo paper here, and thankfully, smellivision has yet to be invented –> Click here to watch the video.

Welcome to the last installment of the PPAI Vegas Show 2009 Recap! As I sit in the airport musing on my trip, I can’t help but think of all the great new products I found – and all the not so great as well. But really who am I to judge? One of the great things about this industry is that for any budget, any audience, any industry, goal or promotion – I can find the perfect item to accomplish the client’s goals. Just because I haven’t worked on a project that required a novelty toilet that squirts water on you when you open the lid [yes, I got squirted!] doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. There is a lid for every pot as they say. My job is the find the lid that fits best – so rest assured that if it out there -we can find it!

Here are a few closing items of note from the show. Of course this blog doesn’t begin to represent the number of wonderful ideas i found – it is just a few that topped the list of visually interesting or unique. Call Theresa or I to meet up soon on our project so we can show you what ideas we found for you!

Hook ‘Em! While I am a Sun Devil Alumni, I couldn’t help but notice this cool replica National Championship ring award. This is a 6 inch replica ring, that comes in the velour pouch shown below. What a great way to mark a Championship, or for Alumni. Maybe I need to have one made for ASU…

Quench your thirst for creative promotions… with this reusable acrylic glass. It probably looks like a normal disposable cup and straw you might get at a concession stand, but it is really an acrylic cup with screw on lid. The lid has a rubber gasket to prevent leaks and the straw is reusable as well. I love the lid idea – I’ve been known to tip a drink or two over on my keyboard….

Got a crumby phone or keyboard? Lift the lint off of your cell phone, keyboard or even desk phone with cyber clean. It feels like a very soft silly putty – and squishes into the tiniest of spaces to lift dirt and dust away.

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Located in Austin, Texas, Andi Vopalensky and IdeasbyAndi.com is your source for creative, unique and clever promotional products that get results!

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